Antique French Neoclassical Grisaille Overdoor Painting, Circa 1815

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Hand-painted in France, this handsome grisaille overdoor painting is from the Neoclassical period, circa 1815. Grisaille is a monochromatic painting … Read more Hand-painted in France, this handsome grisaille overdoor painting is from the Neoclassical period, circa 1815. Grisaille is a monochromatic painting method that relies on using gray or other neutral colors to invoke qualities of a sculpture or drawing.

This painting depicts two mythological beings, known as geniuses, surrounding a classic style urn. According to Roman mythos, a genius was the manifestation of divinity that was present in all things, like a guardian angel. A genius can be depicted in art in various forms, but a common representation was that of a winged putto with the lower body of an acanthus leaf rinceau. Each genius is holding a long floral garland with a crinkled ribbon. The garland is attached to a roundel in the center of a band of Vitruvian waves which adorn the neck of the urn. Other embellishments include olive and acanthus leaves and gadrooning.

The Neoclassical grisaille has been wired in the back, so that it can be hung as a painting. The canvas was most likely part of a large mythological scene of a boiserie room. It could still be used in that fashion and hung as an overdoor accent. See less